Looking for a Physician?

Transitional Care

SoutheastHEALTH Swing Bed Program

What is the “Swing Bed Program?”

Questions

If you have further questions or would like more information on this program, you may contact our Case Manager at 573-614-1944.

To serve the needs of smaller hospitals and communities, Swing Bed is the term Medicare uses to describe a hospital room that can switch from acute care status to skilled care status. The actual bed/room does not usually change; what changes is the level of care that the patient in that room receives.

SoutheastHEALTH offers a Medicare Swing Bed Program as an alternative to prolonged acute hospitalization or short term nursing facility placement for post-acute extended care. The swing bed program provides skilled nursing care and rehabilitation services.

This may include: IV therapy as well as physical/occupational and speech therapy.

The length of stay in Swing Bed is dependent upon individual patient needs and progress. Average length of stay is 5-7 days. Medicare will cover up to 20 days at 100% providing the patient has a skilled need. It is very important to understand that Swing Bed care requires the use of the Medicare patient’s skilled nursing facility benefit. Swing Bed is not intended for permanent placement; it is for continued care until the patient returns home or transfers to a facility for longer term care.

Patients are discharged from Swing Bed Services when:

They have achieved the maximum benefit of skilled nursing or rehabilitation, as determined by the physician

The care being provided has become custodial in nature

The patient’s continuing care requires long term rehabilitation placement